The Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, has written to all state Controllers of Corrections and FCT Commands, requesting the lists of all qualified prisoners and inmates in their commands for presidential pardon.
The move is aimed at decongesting prisons in the country.
According to a memo dated January 17, 2025, the Controller General of Corrections has directed all state Controllers to furnish his office with the lists of qualified prisoners and inmates for presidential pardon/clemency.
The memo outlines specific criteria for eligibility, including old age, ill health, and length of stay in prison.
The memo reads, “I am directed to write and request you to as a matter of urgency, furnish the office the Controller-General of Corrections with list of ALL qualified prisoners/Inmates in your Command for Presidential Pardon/Clemency.
“For avoidance of doubt, Inmates other than Nigerian Prisoner-citizens deported to the Country, must have been convicted or awaiting trial for Federal offences only.
“Note that in determining eligibility, regard shall be had to the following criteria: Old age – (60 years and above); ill-health, likely to terminate in death; young persons, 16 years and below; long term convicts who have served 10 years and above with good record; long awaiting trial persons in custody for 10 years and above; convicts serving 3 years and above and have less than 6 months to serve; awaiting trial persons (ATPs) who have been in custody for 3 years and above for minor offences and ATPs who must have stayed longer than sentence that would have been imposed.”
